Welcome to The Hunger Games Dissection and Discussion group! Let the games begin!
Chapter 1
Our first chapter opens with a superb introduction to the
main characters. We become acquainted with Katniss, her sister Prim, and their
mother. We learn that Katniss is a survivalist, fighting for what she believes
in but also smart enough to avoid trouble. She makes the best out of difficult
situations but can hold a grudge with the best of them. We also meet her
friend, Gale who provides a safe haven for Katniss when she needs to let down
her guard and be herself. I thought Collins’s choice to illustrate the
relationships between each person was a brilliant way to hook the reader. I
already want to see where things will lead between Katniss and Gale.
Panem is cleverly outlined, its history described during the
Reaping. We get a real sense of what it’s like to live in a place like this
with its strict rules and dictatorship. The dark and barbaric way of
maintaining order within the districts is foreboding and haunting. How long
will the president be able to keep his residents frozen in fear and dependant
upon the capitol? How will Katniss help to bring about the change that is
obviously necessary?
Things I pondered:
- The contrasting relationships between Katniss and her mother and Katniss and Prim- I could really identify with that mother/daughter dysfunction and I found a kindred spirit in Katniss. Which character could you most relate to at this time? Why?
- The
“Big Brother is watching” feeling I get every time I see the Capitol in my
mind’s eye. Can you see any similarities between our
- The Reaping- this whole ghastly ordeal reminded me of Nazi Germany when children were recruited to Hitler’s army. Can you think of any other time in history when there were similar practices?
- Effie Trinket-I kind of feel sorry for her. What would it be like to be forced to stifle your feelings as you hand select the children who will die at the mercy of your president? Do you know anyone who is so broken inside that they hide behind a mask of vigor and perkiness?
I hereby declare this discussion open! Don’t forget to come
back next week for Chapter 2. Happy Hunger Games! May the odds be ever in your
favor!
Posts
13 comments:
Your take on Effie is interesting. My feelings about her have always been a bit different--she (and nearly everyone in the Capitol) is soulless, because their culture of decadence steals their souls. I don't think she's hiding at all--she really BELIEVES everything she says and does, because that has been her truth from day one. The rare bit of conscience that we see from a capitol citizen (Cinna, for example) is an aberration, in that culture.
Love this book! Read it last week. It's been a long time since a book held me as captive as this one did. Don't you just love it when that happens? My house didn't love it, but for two glorious days, I didn't care. LOL
I had no idea what it was about when I opened the cover. The town and its dynamics was described so well, I felt like I was in a medieval setting, then I found out it was America! Wow. That was a stunning revelation to me.
I also thought it brilliant the way Collins SHOWED the relationships between Prim and Katniss and Gale and Katniss. I adored both of those characters right off. Gale is definitively sigh-worthy. My ideal, protective and capable hero. I haven't read book two yet (gotta get my house back in order first. lol), but I hope we see more of him!
Jan, I think I have a hard time believing that people can actually be soul-less and that's why I view her this way. Your version makes more sense though. I think I just have a soft spot for people in captivity. And who is Cinna? We're only in chapter 1, remember? :D
April, thank you for joining us! I read all three books within a few weeks. So addicting! I agree that Collins is brilliant with her characters. I think Gale is every girl's dream hunk! I have a feeling we'll see more of him in the coming chapters. Stay tuned!
I read and loved this series. You raise some great points. I too felt the 'big brother' feeling of the Capitol and made me wonder what it will be like in the future to be a Christ follower because we know what it says in the bible!
I loved the relationship between the two sisters...I have three daughters and so I loved reading about how much they loved each other too.
I am now a new follower!
melody
Awe, thank you Melody and thanks for your comments! Check out my post just prior to this one- I blogged about my younger sister. There is no other relationship on earth like it and I cherish mine. Have a blessed weekend!
I loved Katness' hero, survivalist attitude. Although we're just getting a hint of that in ch. 1, her keeping the cat for her sister is a great example. This is also an example of two opposing yet equal forces. She didn't want to keep the cat because it meant another mouth to feed, thereby threatening her ability to provide for her family. But at the same time, her sister loves the cat, which tugged at Katness' heart strings.
This was brilliant by the author because it effectively softened Katness and added to her likability.
I think it's worth noting the Katness' hero aspect. At the CWG conference this past winter, the founder of ACT I spoke on this. She suggested (and I agree) that we love heroes. For example, what if you have an alcoholic who overcomes his alcoholism for his own sake. Great. That'd be a good story, right?
But what if this alcoholic overcomes alcoholism to win his kids back after losing custody? Suddenly, he appears so much more noble, don't you think? And the stakes rise, because now he's doing it for someone else.
I think it'd be interesting to note how much of Katness' motivation throughout the novel is her sister. How strong and clear is her hero aspect, and do you think this increased her likability?
I could relate to Katniss the most, probably because of the way she is with her sister. Because of this, I'm already rooting for her. The author made me care.
And I can definitely see "Big Brother" watching us. Reminds me of what the Bible says will come to pass in the last days.
Like you, I also thought of Hitler. Can't say anyone else comes to mind at the moment.
And Effie truly seems lost. In fact, brainwashed, disconnected, etc.
One of the biggest things I noticed is how the author took the time to etablish the characters' world, to make us feel for the characters before the inciting incident takes place.
I've always heard others say to start with the action, but I can see how doing it the way this author did makes a huge difference.
And to Jennifer: I think her hero aspect is very strong, which definitely increases her likability.
Jen, you raise a valid point. After my husband quit drinking he took the long, scenic route to God but eventually wound up becoming a pastor. Out of all the men that have passed through my life at one time or another, I look up to him and respect him the most because of how hard he worked to get to where he is. He is the most selfless person I know, a true hero in my eyes.
Deborah, I agree. Action is usually a great way to hook readers but Collins nailed it with the characters. I'm assuming this was because of the YA audience. Teens need someone to relate to, someone that 'gets them'. And adding a hunky friend to the mix doesn't hurt things either.
I don't really see Effie as stifling her feelings. I, too, believe she's more of a brainwashed person, raised to believe this is just normal (whether she really likes it or not). Maybe she does some stifling, but overall, I don't see it bothering her all that much.
Interesting thought! And great discussion :)
The opening of The Hunger Games came up as a topic of discussion with my middle school students this past week. (It's a summer school class, so it's a mix of sixth, seventh, and eighth graders.)
They actually felt the first few chapters of the Hunger Games were "boring," and they didn't really get into it until after the reaping.
However, the first few chapters are crucial. We root for Katniss precisely because we know she's doing this for her sister and her mother. If Collins had started the book with the reaping and not shown us Katniss's motivation for surviving the Hunger Games, we as readers wouldn't have felt as sympathetic toward her.
There's a new YA Dystopian trilogy the kids are all reading now, and a lot of people are comparing it to the Hunger Games. The first two books out are Divergent and Insurgent. They're good, but I don't feel for the heroine (Tris) as much as I did for Katniss, and I think that's because Tris's motivation isn't as altruistic as Katniss's. However, I have a feeling when the third book comes out that Tris will have found her selfless side, and her true heroic nature will be revealed.
Katie, I'm sure you're right that she's been brainwashed right out of reality. I actually see her as more of a robot. I guess that doesn't line up with my original theory of hiding herself, does it? LOL
AJ, I have not heard of those books and now I'm curious. I'lll have to check them out.
Thank you both for your comments, I appreciate them!
I identified with Katniss and loved her survivor attitude. I've read the book and enjoyed it. I can't say much more since it's only Chapter 1.
I agree, BJ. I caught myself a couple of times almost throwing in a spoiler. It's hard when you know what's coming next!
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